Last Modified: Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 5:10 p.m.

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The yard is littered with baby dolls of various sizes in torture-type poses. One is hung from a tree by a noose around its neck with its legs and arms in shackles. Another has a dart through one eye. Several disembodied heads hang from spikes. An enclosed outdoor fireplace is jammed with dolls that appear to be cooking.

Homeowner Larriatt McHale said she has long decorated the inside of her house in such a manner, but began running out of space. She made a New Year's resolution to decorate the outside of her home in 2013 and shortly after began displaying the dolls. She said she was inspired by Destination Truth: Island of the Dolls.

The display, which has evolved over time, is art and self-expression, McHale said.

Neighbors, however, said McHale's self-expression is detrimental to the community.

“I think it's really bad that they do that,” said Wanda Hefner, who has lived diagonally across the street from the decorated home for many years.

“The kids grow up and see all kinds of influence from them and they might kill someone. That's where it starts,” Hefner said.

McHale said that is unlikely.

“I have four children and my children don't even notice it. They walk right by,” she said. “The influences on the children of the world is going to be because someone made a big deal about it.”

Media attention of the display prompted James Nelson, director of Spartanburg County Environmental Enforcement, to visit the home on Wednesday.

“Ms. McHale is not violating any local ordinances by having what she claims to be art in her yard,” Nelson wrote in an email.

McHale insisted she wasn't trying to start a neighborhood dispute, and if anyone had come to her she would've changed her display. Now that it's received attention, McHale said she has no intention of taking the dolls down. “I'm not stopping. I'm actually trying to change them more so they look better,” she said.

<p>Neighbors are disturbed by unusual decorations at a home on Oakland Street in the Converse community, but the homeowner says they weren't intended to upset anyone.</p><p>The yard is littered with baby dolls of various sizes in torture-type poses. One is hung from a tree by a noose around its neck with its legs and arms in shackles. Another has a dart through one eye. Several disembodied heads hang from spikes. An enclosed outdoor fireplace is jammed with dolls that appear to be cooking.</p><p>Homeowner Larriatt McHale said she has long decorated the inside of her house in such a manner, but began running out of space. She made a New Year's resolution to decorate the outside of her home in 2013 and shortly after began displaying the dolls. She said she was inspired by Destination Truth: Island of the Dolls.</p><p>The display, which has evolved over time, is art and self-expression, McHale said.</p><p>Neighbors, however, said McHale's self-expression is detrimental to the community.</p><p>“I think it's really bad that they do that,” said Wanda Hefner, who has lived diagonally across the street from the decorated home for many years.</p><p>“The kids grow up and see all kinds of influence from them and they might kill someone. That's where it starts,” Hefner said.</p><p>McHale said that is unlikely.</p><p>“I have four children and my children don't even notice it. They walk right by,” she said. “The influences on the children of the world is going to be because someone made a big deal about it.”</p><p>Media attention of the display prompted James Nelson, director of Spartanburg County Environmental Enforcement, to visit the home on Wednesday.</p><p>“Ms. McHale is not violating any local ordinances by having what she claims to be art in her yard,” Nelson wrote in an email.</p><p>McHale insisted she wasn't trying to start a neighborhood dispute, and if anyone had come to her she would've changed her display. Now that it's received attention, McHale said she has no intention of taking the dolls down. “I'm not stopping. I'm actually trying to change them more so they look better,” she said.</p>